Buying a metal detector is similar buying a car - you might see one that you really like and looks great, but when you pick it up, it doesn't feel right in your hands. Or maybe it simply isn't the right metal detector for the job that you want it to do.

1) The first question that you need to ask yourself is what kind of metal detecting you want to do.

Metal detecting is generally divided into the following categories:

• Coins, Jewelry, Park Hunting

• Relic and Deep Coin Hunting (Old Sites)

• Competition Treasure Hunting

• Cache Hunting (Larger Deeper Buried Treasures, Relics and Artifacts)

• Beach and Shallow Water Metal Detecting

• Gold Prospecting, Nuggets and Black Sand

• Deep Water Metal Detecting - Diving in Shallow Water down to more than 200 Feet.

2) What type of areas will you be treasure hunting in?

Some types of metal detectors work well on grass and non-mineralized soil but do not perform well on salt water beaches and heavily mineralized soil. Other detectors with differences in circuitry though perform well in these conditions.

There are some metal detectors that are specifically designed for each purpose or that perform well in several different categories of metal detecting.

3) The next thing to determine is what your budget for a metal detector is.

Because there are different metal detectors that perform well for different types of categories, the most expensive metal detector is not necessarily the best, or the best for the type of metal detecting you want to do.

4) How often and for how long will you be treasure hunting?

There are weight differences between models and between manufacturers. Some metal detectors are lighter at around 2.2 lbs, and there are some that are close to 5 pounds.

A heavier metal detector is not too bad if you are only going out for an hour or two, a few times a week, but for an avid treasure hunter who is going out for 7 or 8 hours at a time, the weight can really get to your arms. When you pick up a metal detector for the first time, it is really a good idea to consider this.

Some manufacturers have different ergonomic designs that are fairly standard amongst the different models of their detectors. Again, for long metal detecting periods this can play a role in which metal detector feels right to you.

5) Make sure that the dealer you are visiting does not carry just one brand of metal detector.

It is difficult for metal detector dealers to have your best interests at heart if they only sell one brand. There are substantial differences between brands and you must have a choice in order to make sure that you are getting a metal detector that is really suited to you.

6) What if I decide that I want a more sophisticated metal detector after a few months or more?

Most reputable dealers will allow you to trade-in your metal detector and assist you in acquiring a newer one or a different model. This is quite simply quality customer support. A metal detector dealer's success depends on repeat business, and most will welcome trade-ins.

7) Which brand of metal detector is the best one to buy?

The best brand and model of metal detector is really up to you. Your personal preferences, your budget, and the type of treasure hunting that you want to do will determine which instrument is the right one for you.